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NEWARK - After months of debate and failed proposals, Newark City Council is progressing with zoning rules of medical marijuana.

The legislation, brought forward by Mark Fraizer, R-at large, would allow dispensaries in medium intensity business districts and cultivators and processors as limited industrial districts.

This is the second time zoning laws for dispensaries has come to council in recent weeks. Michael Mangus, D-4th Ward, brought forward a proposal Sept. 25 that would allowed dispensaries in limited business districts, but did not include any zoning for medical marijuana cultivators and processors. It was voted down 3-2 in council's economic development committee.

"It's nice to finally get something on the books and start moving forward together," Fraizer said.

Medical marijuana was approved by the state last September. The rules for the program are still being written by people across several state agencies and are not expected to be implemented until September 2018.

The state has already prohibited dispensaries from being located within 500 feet of a school, church, public library, public playground or public park. Newark's zoning code would tack on an additional 500 feet and include addiction services providers.

Based on that restriction, dispensaries would be limited to North 21st Street between Deo and Catalina drives, West Main Street near Cherry Valley and Tamarack roads, Mount Vernon Road near Plaza Pizza and parts of East Main Street.

Fraizer said after the meeting 1,000 feet distance alleviates concerns the city administration and residents have about the location of the dispensaries.

"Literally 500 feet from a school in our community sits a gun shop and an actually pharmacy selling prescription drugs," he said. "A thousand feet just gives that extra reliability that says yes we hear the concerns and we're addressing them and we're extending it to make sure that everybody's safe."

Mangus voiced concerns about the proximity dispensaries could have from residential areas. Some medium intensity business districts are directly next to residential areas Mangus said.

That concern led Cost to vote against the legislation. He said Fraizer is not taking residential areas into consideration.

"He's worried about the distances from churches and schools and I agree, but I think you have to have the same consideration for the distance from residential," he said after the meeting. "I really don't think it's going to go through council and planning commission without having residential considerations."

Following the meeting, Fraizer said the areas that meet all the proposed zoning requirements are already key business districts in the city.

"The impact to residents should be minimal," he said. "People are aware that businesses go there."

The legislation moves to full council, which then sends it to the planning commission. It's expected to have a public hearing at the Nov. 14 planning commission meeting.

The planning commission can agree or disagree with the proposed zoning. But the commission can also suggest something different.

For example, the commission could decide 1,000 feet from a school, church, public library, public playground or public park doesn't leave a lot of options for businesses and recommend 500 feet like the state has suggested or another distance, Law Director Doug Sassen said.

Whatever the commission decides comes back to the full city council for approval.

Fraizer said the legislation is expected to come back to council in January.

However, applications for dispensaries are due to the state in November.

"At least people know what's in the works and they can plan accordingly before their application (is due), secure multiple properties and make sure they can get a store up and running by September 2018," Fraizer said.